Cambodia manages Chinese debt while seeking maritime infrastructure investment

Cambodia is managing significant debt obligations to China while seeking new strategic partnerships for infrastructure development. According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Cambodia's debt to China stood at $3.9 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2026, representing nearly 31% of the nation's total public debt of $12.7 billion.

While bilateral loans from China have been suspended since early 2024, Cambodia has resumed receiving funds through multilateral channels. In 2025, the country secured $268 million from the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), marking the first AIIB disbursement since 2024.

In a parallel effort to modernize its logistics sector, Cambodian officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport recently met with the China Construction Third Engineering Bureau (CCTEB) in Beijing. The discussions focused on securing investment, advanced construction technology, and technical training to develop maritime and seaport infrastructure. CCTEB has expressed strong interest in participating in Cambodia's waterway and port development projects.